Erik ten Hag owned up to Manchester United’s dismal performance in a 4-0 defeat by Crystal Palace on Monday but affirmed his belief that he remains the right person to steer the club back to success.
Palace secured their first-ever league double over United as Michael Olise netted twice, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell also finding the target for the in-form Eagles.
The loss left Ten Hag’s side in eighth place, facing the prospect of their worst-ever Premier League finish and the possibility of missing out on European competition next season.
With structural changes underway at Old Trafford following British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a minority stake and control over the club’s sporting affairs, questions have arisen about Ten Hag’s future.
“It’s clear and it’s obvious this is under-performing,” remarked Ten Hag. “We didn’t act how we want to do it and this is by far not good enough.”
Once again, Ten Hag found his options constrained by an increasing injury list.
Captain Bruno Fernandes missed his first club game due to injury in his career, while England internationals Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire were also sidelined.
The makeshift centre-back pairing of Casemiro and Jonny Evans struggled to cope with Palace’s speed and creativity.
“Absolutely,” affirmed Ten Hag when asked if he still believes he is the right person to lead United forward. “If we have the right players available we have a good squad but we miss almost the whole back-line and then we have problems.
“I will keep fighting and I prepared the team in the best way I could do. It was not good enough, by far not good enough, so I have to take the responsibility for that but I will find the energy and I will prepare them for Sunday.”
Ten Hag faces a daunting challenge when title-chasing Arsenal visit Old Trafford at the weekend.
United have never finished outside the top seven in the Premier League era and must achieve that or win the FA Cup final against Manchester City to secure European qualification.
Yet, the humiliating defeat at Selhurst Park is not an isolated incident during Ten Hag’s tenure.
United suffered a 4-0 loss to Brentford, a 7-0 thrashing by Liverpool, and a 6-3 defeat to Manchester City in his first season in charge.
This season, they have conceded 81 goals in all competitions, the club’s highest tally since 1976-77.
While an early exit from both the Champions League and League Cup has been disappointing, a run in the FA Cup has offered some respite for Ten Hag.
However, their progression to a second consecutive final came only after surviving a penalty shootout against second-tier Coventry City after squandering a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3.
“That was tough to watch,” remarked former United midfielder Paul Scholes of the Red Devils’ performance at Palace. “That could have been 7-0.”
INEOS, under Ratcliffe’s ownership, have already begun making appointments in a bid to reverse a decade of decline at the 20-time English champions.
Jason Wilcox has been appointed as the club’s new technical director, while Dan Ashworth from Newcastle is being targeted as the sporting director, and former Manchester City executive Omar Berrada is set to take over as CEO.
